Rangers star Adam Fox should be motivated by absurd ranking in NHL Network list of top 20 defensemen
As if Adam Fox needed any extra ammo heading into the 2025-26 season, the New York Rangers star defenseman just got it. Fox was handed an absurdly low ranking in NHL Network’s list of the ‘Top-20 players right now’ at his position this week.
Just two years removed from the No. 2 slot, Fox somehow slipped to 16th.
Though it’s true Fox didn’t play to his usual Norris Trophy standards a year ago, it’s hard to make the case that he’s dropped all the way down No. 16 on a list of best defensemen in the League.
But this isn’t Fox’s first fall in the rankings. Last summer he dropped from No. 2 to No. 8 on NHL Network’s ranking of top defensemen. It felt then like the quietly effective Fox was taken for granted, and even more so now.
His 61 points in 74 games last season were a step down from the 73 he put up in 2023-24, his third straight with 70+ points. But that can’t be pinned solely on Fox. The reality is, almost every Rangers player not named Will Cuylle saw a dip in his production. Collectively, the Blueshirts had one of their most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
Despite that, Fox was tied for sixth among NHL defensemen with 51 assists and finished ninth in points. Not bad for a player who had a somewhat off year.
Related: Why Rangers long offseason might be blessing in disguise for Adam Fox
Adam Fox’s elite play with Rangers not reflected in NHL Network rankings
Fox, who plays in all game situations like most of the top defensemen in the NHL, logged more minutes than any other player on the Rangers last season and averaged 23:15 TOI. Despite how terribly the team played, Fox was clearly their most effective player, regardless of position.
He was on ice for 67 goals and 48 against. His xGF of 55.70 percent was far and away best on the Rangers, per Natural Stat Trick.
Amid the chaos, Fox remained the Rangers’ heartbeat. You continued to see his positive influence all over the ice.
And it’s no coincidence that his most regular partners on the blue line last season — and in years prior — thrived much more so when paired with Fox. Just check out K’Andre Miller’s underlying numbers when paired with Fox last season as opposed to with other partners. That’s not to say Miller isn’t a good defenseman; but it shows how Fox helped bring out the best in the 25-year-old. And helped him land a whopping eight-year, $60 million contract in a sign-and-trade with the Carolina Hurricanes this summer.
Ryan Lindgren? He was always at his best when paired with Fox, who raises the level of play of those around him.
The NHL Network rankings aren’t meant to project, as much as they are to reflect on where each player is. But Fox, assuming a healthy season, should shoot right back up the rankings is all goes as expected with Vladislav Gavrikov expected to be his new partner in 2025-26.
Related: How Vladislav Gavrikov fits Rangers shift to ‘quieter’ defense
Adam Fox’s 4 Nations struggles likely hurt his NHL Network ranking
One blemish on Fox’s otherwise solid resume came at the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he struggled and dropped on the depth chart behind Zach Werenski, and even Brock Faber. Despite being one of the first players named to Team USA’s roster, Fox failed to live up to expectations and took a beating from fans and media in the aftermath of the tournament.
It didn’t help that Fox was on the ice for Canada’s game-tying goal in the championship game, then was late picking up Mitch Marner in overtime, ultimately allowing Marner to find Connor McDavid for the OT winner.
His disappointing four-game performance here in February might be at the crux of why Fox plummeted in the NHL Network rankings of top defensemen. In fact, Fox wasn’t among the first six players named to the U.S. roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, so it’s not just the media judging him severely.
Comparing Adam Fox with defensemen ranked above him
When you stack Fox up against some of the names ahead of him, the ranking just doesn’t add up. Let’s take a look at a few of those players.
No. 15 — Shea Theodore
Shea Theodore is one of the League’s best defensive puck-movers, but last season he was mainly behind Alex Pietrangelo, skating with Brayden McNabb in a secondary role. His usage doesn’t stack up to Fox’s — both in terms of quality of matchups and responsibility. That will change this season with Theodore moving up onto the Vegas Golden Knights’ top pair, but so far he hasn’t had to carry the same weight as Fox.
No. 14 — Thomas Harley
Thomas Harley posted a breakout 50-point season with the Dallas Stars, but some of that came with the luxury of playing alongside Miro Heiskanen. That pairing allowed Harley to take more offensive chances without worry. Fox, by contrast, is the one providing that stability for his partners. He logs heavier minutes and still drives offense at an elite level.
No. 13 — Jake Sanderson
Jake Sanderson might one day be among the League’s top defensemen, but putting him anywhere above Fox right now is disrespectful. The 23 year-old has just three NHL seasons under his belt, all on an Ottawa Senators team that just sniffed the playoffs for the first time since 2017. He was a late call-up to Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and did outperform Fox there, including a goal in the championship game. In the NHL, Sanderson had 57 points in 80 games –excellent numbers for a young defensemen — but posted in the bottom half of his team for both shooting percentage and on-ice shooting percentages.
No. 11 — Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoy has been the heartbeat of the Boston Bruins’ blue line for years. Still, Fox edges him out offensively — McAvoy’s 23 points in 50 games last season didn’t stack up to Fox’s 61 in 74 games. Both are rock-solid defensively, but Fox’s power-play production and puck movement give him the slight edge. It’s also worth nothing that McAvoy hasn’t played since sustaining a shoulder injury at the 4 Nations Face-off, so it’s a question whether he’ll be back at the top of his game to begin the 2025-26 season.
No. 9 — Roman Josi
Roman Josi is still one of the best defensemen in the sport, but ranking the Nashville Predators captain so far ahead of Fox doesn’t add up. Josi, the 2020 Norris Trophy winner and runner-up two seasons ago, was limited to just 53 games last season after sustaining a concussion in February and later being diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS). While he will be back for training camp and has been progressing well in treatment, there’s no guarantee he’ll return to his peak form. Also, does Victor Hedman land at No. 5 on this list because of reputation?
But what this list shows is that the understated Fox is one of the most underappreciated talents in the NHL.
